Personal Chef To Go's Official Blog

Autumn

11/27/2013

It's that wonderful time of the year where we sit down, enjoy some turkey and take account for all the things we are thankful for is fast approaching. Let us help you start a thankful brainstorm with these 15 things to be thankful for on Thanksgiving. We know this list is not exhaustive, so let us know what else you are thankful for in the comments below!

15 Food

Some have and overabundance of it, others barely have enough to live (sadly, some even die without any). So if you have some of it, guess what, you have something to be grateful for.

14 Water

You can live a while without food, but you can’t live for long without water.

13 Military

Most people don’t like war. Unfortunately, events happen that create wars. In these situations, our military protects our homelands and our interests. They lay down their lives for those who don’t even know them.

12 Nature

There are so many benefits we receive from nature such as oxygen; trees for construction materials, paper, and furniture; and medicine. This is by no means exhaustive, but you can start to see that we indeed need to be grateful for the natural world.

11 Mistakes

You read that right. We need to be grateful for our mistakes for they serve a huge purpose in our development. Phyllis Theroux put it this way “Mistakes are the usual bridge between inexperience and wisdom”.

10 Laughter

Not only does laughter make people happy, it also makes them healthier. In fact, if you need convincing as to the value of laughter, check out 25 Reasons To Laugh.

9 Love

Love can be a two edge sword. But to live without love, is really not living. It doesn’t have to be a romantic love. But that sacrificial devotion to someone else’s well being is something that we should all be grateful for.

8 Influences

These can be teachers, pastors, coaches, or anyone who cares about you enough to not be afraid to tell you the truth no matter how much it hurts.

7 Pets

Yes pets. Whether you own one or not, our civilization owes a huge debt to these amazing animals. Not only are they good for our immediate health, but arguably, our survival as a human race has been dependent on the domestication of dogs and cats.

6 Physique

All physiques are different and we do a disservice to ourselves when we compare them. So what if so-and-so has big muscles and you don’t? Life is not about muscles or lack thereof. So be grateful for your physique and learn to love yourself so that in turn, you may love others.

5 Work

It’s easy to complain about a boss or a work environment. But remember; there are some people who would love to have a job yet find themselves unable to enter the work force.

4 Friends

C.S. Lewis once said “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.” It’s a sad and lonely life to live without friends.

3 Family

Some could argue this point. However, there are many people who wish they had a family, yet find themselves lacking one. If you are one of the fortunate ones who can claim to have a family; rejoice and be grateful.

2 Parents

Some are fortunate to have some great parent, others are not so fortunate. Regardless of your fortune, the fact remains that you are alive. If it wasn’t for your parent’s involvement, you wouldn’t be.

1 Yourself

There is no one else like you and this world would not be the same without you in it. So be grateful for yourself. Look in the mirror and be thankful that you are who you are. As I once heard someone say “If people knew who they truly were, they would not want to be anybody else”.

Tomorrow is the traditional start of the holiday season as well as the day we set aside to give thanks to God for the many blessings we receive. It's also the perfect time to let you know we are thankful for your continued business with Personal Chef To Go. We realize there are many food delivery services in the marketplace and we truly appreciate that you select us for your healthy meal delivery service.

So, at this most appropriate time of the year, Thank You from the Personal Chef To Go employee family. Our sincere best wishes to you for a very Happy Thanksgiving and a most joyful Christmas season!

11/26/2013

Mindful eating is a term that gets thrown around a lot. Sure, I know that I shouldn’t inhale my pizza at warp speed or plop myself in front of the TV with a bag of chips. But as the holidays (and the stress that comes with them) approach, my knowledge of mindful eating goes out the window. Three hours into stuffing my face with Thanksgiving dinner, I can barely button my pants.

So, in a conscious effort to cut back on the pumpkin pie, I’m reminding myself of the principles of mindful eating. No better time to appreciate my meal and savor the experience like Thanksgiving. The Center of Mindful Eating gives tips on how to make eating a positive and nourishing experience. Here’s how:

Be aware of the positive and nurturing opportunities available through eating and preparing food.

Choose to eat food that is both pleasing to you and nourishing to your body by using all your senses to explore, savor, and taste.

I’m glad to have the reminder of how to mindfully eat. Thanksgiving isn’t the only time I eat on auto-pilot–on more than one occasion have I realized I’ve eaten an entire bag of cookies without noticing I’m full. This Thanksgiving, I’m planning on slowing way down during the meal, so that I can enjoy the people around the table more than the mashed potatoes.

How are you spending your Thanksgiving holiday? Are you as nervous as I am for the free-for-all at the dinner table? What are your tips to keep from overeating?

11/20/2013

Thanksgiving wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a little bit of chaos. There are so many dishes, so many people, and so many cherished family traditions that must be upheld it would be pretty strange if the day didn’t have its fair share of drama.

Personal Chef To Go takes the stress out of preparing for the Thanksgiving holiday. If you’ve ever had family, extended family, in-laws and close friends to your house for a Thanksgiving dinner, you know what it’s like to prepare a huge holiday meal. You spend days and days shopping and preparing so finding time to cook a healthy meal for your family at the end of a busy day is challenging at best.

Let Personal Chef To Go Help

For anyone that’s ever spent weeks preparing and shopping, cooking and seasoning, cleaning and scrubbing in the weeks before the Thanksgiving, our convenient food delivery service is just for you. All of our fresh meals are pre-cooked, ready for eating and delivered right to your door. Simply heat them in the microwave or oven, and enjoy a healthy, well-balanced, complete meal in less than five minutes.

Thanksgiving food is one of the best parts about Thanksgiving, but it is first and foremost about the people you love. Make sure your Thanksgiving to-do list includes an order of meals from any one or our menus for delivery by Nov 17th.

Perfect for last minute drop-ins, they take up very little space in the fridge and will stay fresh well past Thanksgiving. Spend more time with your loved ones this Thanksgiving and less time out shopping, fighting crowds and with your kitchen. Forget greasy take-out this year, stay in with Personal Chef To Go!

10 Step Thanksgiving Sanity Plan

Clear out your fridge. You’re going to be filling it up again pretty soon, so now is a good time to eat the best leftovers and toss the rest.

Start thawing your turkey: The safest place to do this is in the fridge—aren’t you glad you’ve already cleared it out?

Make your pie crusts. Roll them out and freeze them flat between sheets of parchment paper in resealable plastic bags until needed. They’ll defrost quickly.

Check your recipes. Make sure you have all the ingredients and equipment needed. Make a list of what you still need.

Go shopping. The crowds will be insane the day before Thanksgiving, so get as much as you possibly can now.

Stock up on wine, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks—and make sure you have plenty of ice.

Check your serving pieces. Do you have enough platters, bowls, and serving spoons and forks?

Do as much prep work as you can: Make salad dressings; chop onions and celery and store in resealable plastic bags in the fridge; top and tail green beans; make stock for gravy with purchased turkey wings.

Make the cranberry sauce. Hint: The recipe on the back of the bag is great. Just add a pinch of salt to bring out the cranberries’ full tangy flavor. A splash of port isn’t too bad, either.

If you have guests who are bringing food, call them now and find out exactly what they’re bringing, whether they’ll need counter space and tools to finish prepping, and how much oven time their dish requires. You may need to make a few minor alterations to the menu at this point so you don’t have complete and total kitchen chaos right before the big meal.

10/10/2013

Let Personal Chef To Go be your personal chef EVERY day with great savings on delicious chef-prepared meals that are ready to eat in minutes! Just enter 2020 in the coupon code box when you checkout online or place your order with our friendly customer service representatives at 804-453-2227. Order now! Offer expires on November 1st!

Eating More? Here's Why!

It's the time of year when it starts to get dark early, the days get cooler--in other words, it's Fall. And something else happens as well--we start eating more.

People show a marked seasonal rhythm with increased total caloric consumption, especially from carbohydrates in the Fall and most often associated with an increase in meal size and a greater rate of eating. (Interestingly, alcohol intake has an opposite seasonal pattern, with the highest intake occurring in the Summer and the lowest in the Fall.)

We have a tendency to eat about 200 calories more per day during the fall. What does that translate to in terms of potential weight gain? As much as three to four pounds a year. We often blame much of this 'fall' weight gain on the holidays but that isn't always the case.

WHY WE EAT MORE

Why do we eat more in the fall? More than likely, it's biological--putting on weight in preparation for the potential winter famine our ancestors faced. It all makes sense--the fall harvest, storing up for the long winter months explains de Castro. Historically, we have a tendency to eat when food is plentiful, because we never knew when our next meal was going to be available.

Kurt Krauchi, a scientist at the Psychiatric University Clinic in Basel, Switzerland, studied patients with seasonal affective disorder (a type of mood disorder that is caused by lack of light). He found that they ate more carbohydrates, particularly sweets but also starch-rich foods, during their depression in winter, and that their intake could be reduced with light therapy.

"There seems to be a relationship between light and depression, which leads to consumption of additional carbohydrates," says Krauchi. De Castro, however, found an increase in fall eating independent of decreased light and/or depression.

TIPS FOR A HEALTHY FALL

We may we eat more simply because bathing suit season is over, and we can start hiding excess calories beneath our winter clothes. Whatever the reason, it's important to realize that fall foods (soups, stews, breads, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, apples, pumpkins and all types of greens) can actually be healthier than foods of other seasons. They are typically packed with great nutrients, such as fiber, protein, beta carotene and vitamin C. Here are a few tips to keep the fall tasty and healthy:

Soups are great for you if they're not made with cream or cheese. Just watch serving sizes--we tend to eat whatever's in our bowls.

Stews can be hearty and fattening. Use loads of fresh vegetables, and go light on the meat and potatoes.

Avoid unconscious eating while watching football and the new fall TV lineup. Never bring the whole bag or bowl of anything to the couch or coffee table--pre-measure it in the kitchen beforehand. When it comes to chips, make sure they're baked, not fried.

For pizza, watch the toppings--they can double the calories.

Celebrate the fall harvest in other ways besides making pies. Apples are low in calories when they're off the tree, not in a pie.

If it's gotta be pie, try making pumpkin pie with artificial sweetener, egg whites and low-fat milk. And of course, just have one piece. Keep in mind that pumpkin seeds have about 300 calories per 1/4 cup.

Turkey is healthy, as long as you keep it lean and white.

Get out and enjoy the fall weather. The air is cooler, the leaves are turning and the countryside becomes more scenic. It's the perfect time to go outdoors and do something: Take walks on the beach or by the lake; go to the zoo; or ride a bike.

Keep in mind that once we set the clocks back, it gets darker earlier, so there are fewer outdoor options for physical activities in the evening. Make adjustments by joining a gym, planning evening walks at the mall or becoming an early riser.

11/08/2012

Personal
Chef To Go is at your service to make your holiday season magnificent and
memorable for your family and guests.

Release
yourself from a little holiday stress the night before Thanksgiving, while
treating your family, guests and yourself, to some delicious food from Personal
Chef to Go! So skip the pizza delivery
on Wednesday, or a crowded restaurant, and enjoy some delicious and nutritious
meals at home instead.

Look
over our web site and we will be pleased to discuss your
needs and assist you in ordering the perfect meal plan for your holiday needs.
Your order will be delivered fresh to your door the week of Thanksgiving. Enter code “Stress Free” at check out and
save 10% !

Orders
must be received by Monday, November 12th, to ensure delivery
Thanksgiving week.

Ten Step Thanksgiving Sanity Plan

Clear out your fridge. You’re going to be filling it
up again, so now is a good time to eat the best leftovers and toss the rest.

Start thawing your turkey: The safest place to do
this is in the fridge—aren’t you glad you’ve already cleared it out?

Make your pie crusts. Roll them out and freeze them
flat between sheets of parchment paper in resalable plastic bags until needed.
They’ll defrost quickly.

Check your recipes. Make sure you have all the
ingredients and equipment needed. Make a list of what you still need.

Go shopping.
Get as much as you possibly can now.

Stock up on wine, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks—and
make sure you have plenty of ice.

Do as much prep work as you can: Make
salad dressings; chop onions, celery and store in resalable plastic bags
in the fridge; top and tail green beans; make stock for gravy with
turkey wings.

Make the cranberry sauce. Hint: The recipe on the
back of the bag is great. Just add a pinch of salt to bring out the
cranberries’ full tangy flavour. A splash of port isn’t too bad, either.

have
guests who are bringing food, call them now and find out exactly what they’re
bringing, whether they’ll need counter space and tools to finish prepping, and
how much oven time their dish requires.

Don’t
fight the crowds on the night before your big event; treat your family, guests,
and yourself, to one of our delicious, nutritious meals.

10/24/2012

Attention, animal lovers, it's almost the spookiest night of the year! Taking some common sense precautions this Halloween to keep you and your pet saying "trick or treat!" all the way to November 1.

1. No tricks, no treats: That bowl of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Spike and Elmo. Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause problems. If you do suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

2. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, but they can produce stomach upset in pets who nibble on them.

3. Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts or burns, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

4. A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but do exercise caution if you choose to add a candle. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames.

5. Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don't put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it (yup, a few pets are real hams!). For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume may cause undue stress.

6. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal's movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also, be sure to try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go au naturale or donning a festive bandana.

7. Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.

8. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.

9. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn't dart outside.

10. IDs, please! Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver, increaing the chances that he or she will be returned to you.

10/17/2012

Halloween can be a pretty wasteful holiday if you let it, but it doesn't have to be! And you don't have to give up the spooky good times to keep it green.

From costumes and candy to decorations and clean-up, there are lots of places where you can make more sustainable choices this Halloween. Of course, you don't want your green routine to take the fun out of this spooky day. I think that one of the keys to getting folks on board with making eco-friendly life choices is showing that not only is it better for the planet, but it's delicious and festive, too!

Whether you're just going trick-or-treating or if you're planning a full-on Halloween shindig, we've got you covered so that you can reduce your waste without cutting back on the fun!

Green Trick-or-Treating

Planning to head out and collect candy? Instead of a boring plastic pumpkin, you and the kiddos can make your own candy-collecting bag out of recycled materials. Here are a couple of tutorials to get you going:

Turn a thrifted pillowcase into a customized treat bag. You can make this even more fun by letting the kids embellish their bags with cut out spooky shapes. Either sew them on or attach with fabric glue.

Make a recycled felt trick-or-treat bag. You can find Kunin recycled felt online - it's made from plastic water and soda bottles that would have otherwise been landfill-bound!

Transform an old tank top into a treat bag: turn the tank inside out, sew across the bottom to seal it up, flip it right side out again, and you're ready to trick-or-treat! If the tank top is too long, you may want to cut the bottom down a bit before sewing, so it won't drag on the ground.

Use a basket. Thrift stores usually have pretty hefty stashes of baskets, which are perfect for collecting candy! If you want to get crafty, you and the kids can decorate your baskets to personalize them!

If you're planning to stay in and hand out candy, you've got a great opportunity to make a positive impact. Opt for fair trade chocolates and candies that are sweetened with real sugar. Your local co-op or health food store will have plenty of options, or you can find fair trade candy online. Just remember: a lot of parents will be wary about letting their little ones accept unwrapped candy, so you'll want to go for "bite sized" treats, unless you want to give out full sized candy bars!

Eco-Friendly Costume Ideas

Store-bought Halloween costumes are often far from green. Usually, they're heavy on the plastic and polyester, and to keep the price down, they tend to involve sweatshop labor. This year, you can whip up your own DIY costumes, and you don't even need sewing skills to do it!

Got a little superhero in your life? Make him a simple, felt mask out of the Kunin recycled felt we mentioned on the previous page! You can complete the costume by pinning on a pillowcase "cape" and a felt superhero badge. Voila!

For an easy witch costume, dress your little one in all black, give her a broom, and whip up a witch's hat out of an old coat hanger.

Grab a couple of cardboard boxes from the recycle bin, cut arm holes in one, eye holes in another, and decorate to make a quickie robot costume that you can recycle or compost when Halloween is over.

The key with an eco-friendly costume is to get creative! Hit up your local thrift store to find fun, second-hand elements. You can also look for costumes on sites like Freecycle or Craigslist, or arrange a costume swap with friends to reuse costumes from previous years.

Eco-Halloween Decor

If you're throwing a Halloween shindig, you're going to need some spooky-ooky decorations! Sure, you could head to the party store, but most of the supplies you find there are intended to be used once and tossed. They're also often made from plastic and other not-so-eco materials. With a little bit of planning, you can whip up your own green Halloween decor that will last for more than just one holiday! Here are some decoration ideas to get you started:

10/03/2012

Nobody likes to get sick, particularly when it begins to get colder. Cold weather exacerbates respiratory symptoms, making recovery far less pleasant than it could be. During warmer months, a sick person can enjoy the warmth of the sun while they're recovering, but the colder days at the end of the year make recovery a positively miserable experience.

It's also no surprise that so many people catch colds during this time of year. Children are in school, parents and families are out shopping and interacting with one another and with the holidays creeping into the mix, the chances of transmission from person to person increase exponentially.

Fortunately, a reasonable degree of prevention can spare us the frustration of going through a cold or flu during the winter. While they aren't foolproof, there are many steps that we can take to protect themselves and their families from falling ill.

The Flu versus A ColdBoth influenza (the flu) and the common cold are respiratory illnesses; both are caused by viruses that irritate the lungs and lead to symptoms like coughing, congestion and aches. However, they are caused by entirely different viruses, differ in intensity and symptoms, and are even transmitted by different means. Understanding the differences is important to treatment if all your prevention fails and someone does get ill.

Colds are largely transmitted through physical contact, rather than airborne transmission such as coughing or sneezing. Most people get colds by touching a contaminated surface, then touching their own eyes, nose, or mouth - such as handling a magazine passed by a friend who has a cold, followed by scratching an itchy eye corner. The flu, however, can be transmitted through airborne means as well as physical contact.

Between the two, influenza tends to be far more severe than a cold. Flu symptoms develop aggressively, sometimes within three to six hours of initial exposure, while a cold tends to develop more gradually. Both illnesses cause respiratory symptoms, but they differ in the details.

A cold will generally result in a wet cough producing a lot of mucus, whereas the flu frequently results in a dry, unproductive hacking. Colds tend to have associated effects such as congestion and sneezing, whereas the flu does not. The flu more frequently results in a fever and strong body aches. The flu is significantly more dangerous, and should be watched carefully.

An Ounce of PreventionThere are steps that can be taken to prevent transmission of cold and flu germs, which in combination greatly reduce the chances of catching one of these diseases. Because there is no cure for either ailment, preventative care is the typically best option available.

1. Keep Your Hands CleanTake the time to wash your hands regularly. As mentioned, cold and flu viruses spread through physical contact. Keeping your hands clean with soap and warm to hot water helps the most in preventing this casual contact. If these are not available, an alcohol-based sanitizer is an acceptable alternative, though the scrubbing and warm water are generally more effective.

2. Drink Plenty Of Healthy FluidsDrinking plenty of healthy fluids is also important. The human body uses liquids to filter out the body's accumulated wastes, resulting in a healthier system overall. A healthy body with proper fluid intake is less likely to contract a cold or flu than one working less efficiently from having too few servings of water. Vitamin C is also important to the immune system, so juices with this vitamin can double up on fluid and vitamin intake in most cases, though people shouldn't neglect plain water as well.

3. Get VaccinatedThe flu can sometimes be prevented through a vaccination, commonly known as a flu shot. This involves exposing people to a weakened or dead form of the flu virus, allowing their body to develop immunity to it before the flu season begins. The vaccine is widely available, but is most recommended for the category of patient who is considered to be at most risk for serious flu complications: generally young children, people aged sixty-five or older, and those with preexisting chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or other heart and lung conditions. For a healthy young adult, the flu shot may not be as necessary, so they may wish to consider allowing the more needy to get to them.

The current H1N1, or swine flu, is a different variety of our seasonal flu and a different vaccine is available for this virus. However, it is affecting different groups of people, mostly children, young adults, and pregnant women. The same preventative steps can be taken for both the H1N1 virus and the regular seasonal influenza. If you're thinking about getting a flu shot, you should check with your doctor to determine if you need the regular vaccination, the H1N1 vaccination or both.

4. Avoid Unnecessary StressTake the time to relax and avoid unnecessary stress. While stressors can be invigorating stimuli, too much unresolved and unproductive stress can wear the body out very quickly, reducing efficiency and increasing the risk of infections. Make an effort to reduce the stress on your body by eating healthy foods, taking care of their fitness and hygiene, and taking the time to get proper amounts of sleep and relaxation each day.

While colds and the flu are contagious, and can cause problems, a little bit of information and care can help prevent the infection and let people enjoy a healthy winter season.

11/23/2011

For some people, Thanksgiving is as fun as attending a four-day-long paint drying convention. Maybe they despise the work (and pressure) of having to prepare the perfect meal. Maybe they dread the thought of hearing their uncles argue endlessly about things they have no clue about. Maybe they just want something more than the anticlimactic comas everyone slips into after the big dinner.

Whatever the case may be, the Thanksgiving holiday is a prime opportunity for Adultitis to take over and ruin the party.

But have no fear, there are a number of ways to bring a little childlike fun into this classic holiday. With a small amount of effort and a willingness to be a little silly, you can transform your family's Thanksgiving into something truly remarkable.

Here's how:

Name That BirdSpeaking of silliness, be sure to name your turkey (Tom is not allowed!). This is a playful way to add some fun throughout the preparation, as you refer to the bird by his/her given name. Middle names are also encouraged. If you have a super large family, have a small group come up with a list of five suggested names. Put them on a piece of paper and invite all arriving guests to put a tally mark next to his/her favorite, to make sure everyone gets a chance to contribute. Take it to another level by sharing anecdotes about your turkey’s life. Create a worthy legend that ensures Magnus T. Wrigglefeather was not sacrificed in vain.

Be A FashionistaKids love to dress up according to a theme. Clothes are an easy way to express enthusiasm for the moment at hand. If you’re on the conservative side, now’s the time to splurge on those 99-cent turkey socks or dig through the closet to find autumn-colored clothes. On the other end of the spectrum, you could pick up a turkey hat or rent a pilgrim costume. Don't miss the chance to show your true colors. Could it get a bit ridiculous? You betcha. Would you arriving as Squanto be a memory your family will talk about for years to come? Guaranteed.

Kitchen CooperationDon't leave the cook out on an island. Seize the opportunity to build relationships by cooking together. Some of the best conversations and memories are made while stirring gravy and mashing potatoes. If there are kids in the mix, invite them to learn some new cooking techniques and have fun letting them put their spin on them. Above all, don’t worry about everything having to be perfect. Remember this is a holiday about family and thankfulness, not a contest to see if you can make Martha Stewart jealous.

The last thing anybody’s Thanksgiving needs is a jealous Martha Stewart on the warpath. For more ideas on keeping the stress out of hosting, be sure to check out these tips.

Have Your Very Own Charlie Brown ThanksgivingCreate an homage to the beloved Peanuts classic with an untraditional appetizer. Make up some tall stacks of buttered toast and serve up pretzels, popcorn and jelly beans. Just because Peppermint Patty didn't appreciate Snoopy and Woodstock's creative take on the traditional meal doesn't mean you can't. I’m betting the jelly beans will be gone before you can say, "You’re a blockhead, Charlie Brown.”

The Giving Thanks PartBe sure to "have a moment" at the beginning of the meal to offer up a simple prayer or reflection. Remember those who are no longer with you and welcome those who are new to the crew. Perhaps everyone can take a turn to say one thing they’re especially grateful for. This is a heartfelt, sincere and ultimately childlike way to bring everyone to a similar mindset as you gather together. Ignore the eye rolls and enjoy the moment.

Wish Bone WhimsyDon't let the day pass you by without partaking in the ever-so-childlike tradition of breaking the wish bone. A bit barbaric, but always enjoyable. Drawing names out of a hat is one simple and fair way to handle it. Or you could play a fun family trivia game to determine the top two challengers to face off in front of everyone. If you get to be one of the finalists, be sure to wish for something important, like world peace or a Wii.

Spice Up The SidesIt’s hard to argue with the traditional menu of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberries. But that’s not to say you can’t start a new tradition by adding a playful side dish that you would normally not see on your Thanksgiving dinner table. Try to pick something that will bring a smile to the faces of unsuspecting family members. Here are a few yummy ideas: fried cheese curds (a Wisconsin favorite), Oreos, french fries, rainbow Jell-O, guacamole or gourmet mac and cheese. If nothing else, you're creating a conversation piece, allowing people to talk about something else besides religion, politics, and that thing growing on Grandma’s neck.

Pass the Pie PleaseSurprise everyone by having dessert first. Kids everywhere promise to themselves that one day, when they’re calling the shots, they’ll have desert first whenever they want. But before long, Adultitis sets in and those pledges fade away. One thing’s for sure: you’ll definitely be able to sort out who has Adultitis and who doesn’t. If you're outnumbered by the curmudgeons who can't get beyond the tradition of having dessert last, go ahead and enjoy your pie without them. Don't you worry, there will be at least a few kids to joining you. Admittedly, this one may result in Aunt Gladys having a conniption fit. But then again, maybe that’s not altogether a bad thing.

Open Up The PlaybookFootball is a big part of the Thanksgiving tradition for many families. But you don’t have to leave all the fun to the pros. Invite folks to play a big family game, something that crosses generations and involves everyone. A few favorites to think about are spoons, flag football, kickball, hot potato, Pictionary, bingo, Apples to Apples or projectile spitting. If your group is just too ginormous to pull off playing all together, have a number of different games going on so people can go from one thing to the next, based on their interest. If your family loves to play cards, set up a number of tables and have a big tournament. The winner gets to bring home the leftover desserts.

Movie MagicOnce the turkey coma has set in, watch a movie together as a group. Pick one that will appeal to all ages and will be entertaining and fun. Like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. (Kidding.) Anything by Pixar works well or there's typically some sort of family movie on television that was released the year before. There’s nothing more fun than laughing and there’s nothing more heartwarming than sharing laughter with family...and making fun of Uncle David snoring in his chair.

With all the negativity in the news, your family needs fun now more than ever. Implement just a few of these tips and I’m sure your family will be thankful for the permission to be a little silly and grateful for the memories you’ll create together.

Jason is a cartoonist, author, and professional speaker. Jason and his wife Kim (a former kindergarten teacher) make it their mission in life to fight Adultitis and help people use strategies from childhood to create lives with less stress and more fun. Stop by www.KimandJason.com for more tips for escaping adulthood.